PASIN CALLS OUT WELLS' SILENCE ON LOSS OF NETWORK 10 IN REGIONAL SA

PASIN CALLS OUT WELLS' SILENCE ON LOSS OF NETWORKS 10 IN REGIONAL SA

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin has accused Communications Minister Anika Wells of ignoring regional South Australians after failing to respond to concerns about the impending loss of Network 10 free-to-air television services in the Riverland and Limestone Coast.

More than a month ago Mr Pasin wrote to Minister Wells urging her to intervene following the announcement that WIN Television would cease broadcasting Network 10 channels into the Riverland and Limestone Coast from 1 July.

Despite the significance of the issue for regional communities, Mr Pasin said he had received no response.

"Families in the Riverland and Limestone Coast are about to lose access to free-to-air television services that metropolitan Australians take for granted, yet the Minister responsible for communications hasn't even acknowledged my correspondence," Mr Pasin said.

"This isn't just about television. It's about whether regional Australians are treated as second-class citizens when it comes to accessing essential services and information."

Mr Pasin said Labor's response appeared to be that affected residents could simply stream the content online, ignoring the reality faced by many regional households.

"Not everyone owns a smart television. Not everyone has reliable internet access. And not everyone can afford additional technology just to access services they currently receive for free."

"The Minister has had more than a month to respond to concerns raised on behalf of thousands of people across regional South Australia. Instead of addressing the issue the Minister is seemingly ignoring it and hoping that it will go away."

Mr Pasin said he had now written to Minister Wells a second time seeking an explanation of what action, if any, the Federal Government intended to take to protect free-to-air television services in affected regional markets.

"People in Barker deserve answers."

"If the Minister won't stand up for regional communities, she should at least have the courtesy to explain why."